The moment Feng Wanting announced his decision, the air in the meeting room froze.
"Following deliberation by the board, this art exhibition will use the proposal submitted by Pei Yang's team." His knuckles tapped softly against the proposal's cover as his gaze swept over every face in the room, lingering on Pei Yang's for an extra three seconds. "Effective immediately."
The dead silence lasted a moment. Then everyone except Feng Wanting and Pei Yang, who knew the inside story, gasped in disbelief, their eyes turning in unison toward Pei Yang's seat.
Everyone wanted to see Lin Wen's expression, but unfortunately, he seemed to have anticipated this outcome and simply skipped work.
After Feng Wanting left, everyone crowded around Pei Yang, offering congratulations and flattery.
Only Gu Xin was bursting with curiosity, chattering away. "Pei Yang! Pei Yang! You're incredible! How did you pull it off? Why did Director Feng suddenly change his mind?!"
Pei Yang felt too guilty to even raise his eyes. He stared down at his pale knuckles, the bruises Feng Wanting had pinched into his waist still aching faintly. "O-of course it's because Director Feng... he recognizes talent and saw all our hard work. People who cheat... ahem, naturally don't stand a chance."
"Exactly!" Gu Xin said innocently. "I knew hard work would pay off! This is great! Once we finish this big project, I'll probably get a permanent position!"
Gu Xin skipped away.
Watching her go, Pei Yang would never understand why young ladies from wealthy families wanted to experience ordinary people's lives...
Afraid someone would notice something amiss, Pei Yang hadn't dared put a cushion on his chair. The instant his lower back hit the hard backrest, his vision went black with pain, and he silently cursed Feng Wanting all over again.
After forcing himself